NAIT is remembering the loss of 14 victims who were murdered 33 years ago in the worst anti-feminism attack in Canadian history. Known as the Montreal Massacre, 14 women in an engineering class at Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal were shot and killed for simply being women. As a Polytechnique school itself, NAIT is honouring the lives lost at Ecole Polytechnique on December 6, 1989 and striving to end gender-based violence.
“Today we remember the 14 women at Polytechnique Montréal who were killed for no reason other than because they were women. They were beloved sisters and daughters, cherished friends, and brilliant students. It is important we remember who these women were, mourn for who they could have been, and commit to stop the hatred behind this tragedy,” said Laura Jo Gunter, NAIT president & CEO.
14 chairs were set up in the Feltham Centre on NAIT’S main campus to commemorate the 14 victims who were murdered predominantly because of their gender. The installation included photos, personal information, and items to represent each of the murdered women.
The names of the 14 victims in the mass shooting are:
- Geneviève Bergeron
- Hélène Colgan
- Nathalie Croteau
- Barbara Daigneault
- Anne-Marie Edward
- Maud Haviernick
- Maryse Laganière
- Maryse Leclair
- Anne-Marie Lemay
- Sonia Pelletier
- Michèle Richard
- Annie St-Arneault
- Annie Turcotte
- Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
“I think it’s important to look back and reflect at what an absolute tragic and horrible event it was, and first and foremost, remember those that we lost. Also, to look at and think about what we are doing now to improve situations. What can we continue doing to improve situations?” said Carrie Vos, Women Building Futures.
Poster boards surrounded the installation sharing information about gender-based violence and how it correlates with class, race, ability, and sexual orientation.
“Becoming knowledgeable about these things is the first step in creating a world in which December 6 wouldn’t be possible,” said Natasha Pinterics, equity and diversity specialist.
A vigil was held at noon where attendees heard from speakers such as:
- Laura Jo Gunter, NAIT president and CEO
- Honourable Tanya Fir, parliamentary secretary for Status of Women
- Lora Pillow, deputy minister, Advanced Education
- Bev Yea, deputy minister, Skilled Trades and Professions
- Carrie Vos, program controller, Women Building Futures
National Day of Remembrance and Action Against Women is part of an international campaign, 16 Day of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, which runs from Nov 25 to Dec 10.
